13ème "The Fighting Fez"
"Lieutenant Antoine sporting his summer wear"
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History of The Second Empire Zouaves
By 1852, the French Army included three regiments of Zouaves. Each of the three line regiments of Zouaves was allocated to a different province of Algeria, where their depots and peace-time garrisons were located. The Crimean War was the first service which the regiments saw outside Algeria. They subsequently served in the Franco-Austrian War of 1859, the Mexican Intervention (1864–66) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870). The distinctive dress and dash of the Zouaves made them well known outside France and they were frequently portrayed in the illustrated publications of the period. The 2nd Zouaves (popularly known as "the Jackals of Oran") had their eagle decorated with the Legion d' Honneur following the Battle of Magenta in 1859.
On 23 December 1854 a fourth regiment was created, the Zouaves of the Imperial Guard. The actual formation of this unit was delayed until 15 March 1855 when detachments from the Zouave regiments already serving in the Crimea were brought together for this purpose. The Zouaves of the Imperial Guard served through the remainder of the Crimean War and subsequently in all the campaigns of the Second Empire. Their peace-time garrisons were initially at Saint-Cloud and then Versailles from 1857. This regiment wore the classic zouave uniform but with yellow braiding and piping substituted for the red of the line regiments.[2]
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Regimental Battle Honours
The Golden Fez is awarded to the Zouave who exemplifies bravery and courage in it's purest form.The Silver Star of Sacrifice is awarded to a Zouave who takes it upon himself to take enemy fire to protect Lieutenant Antoine van Oranje (or any other fellow Zouave).
The Order van Oranje is awarded to a Zouave who has proven his excellence on the battlefield and has saved the Lieutenants life on many occasions.
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Rank Structure
Lieutenant (Lt)
Leader of the Platoon and most veteran Zouave warrior who has survived multiple forlorn hope charges, and has achieved victory for the Empire
Sous-Lieutenant (SLt)
2nd in Command of the Platoon in charge of Fez inspections and taking command upon the Lieutenants retirement to the triage tent.
Scout (Scout)
Secures victory by reconnoitering the area and returning with valuable information on enemy movements and useful fortifications.
Flag Bearer (Flag)
Flaunts Zouave victory in the face of the enemy. First to lead the charge, most courageous Zouave in the Platoon.
Bugler (Bugler)
Alerts the enemy that defeat is imminent. Causes discord among the enemy ranks with his unearthly hell-born songs of doom.
Zouave Assault Infantry (Zouave)
The backbone of the Platoon. Charge the enemy and secure victory for the Empire.
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| Command Staff Lieutenant Antoine van Oranje
Sous-Lieutenant Jozef
Special Units Forward Scout Bond Platoon Bugler Purple
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Platoon Roster
Zouave Itosian
Zouave Green
Zouave Llapasally
Zouave Spanky
Zouave Mawthul
Zouave Golden
Zouave Kancatzo
Zouave Pie
Zouave Pike
Zouave Elite
Zouave Kudelsky
Zouave Reverse
&
Many More
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